tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post7586874495821762261..comments2023-08-26T11:45:53.143-03:00Comments on Rachel's Rantings in Rio de Janeiro: The Nanny CultureRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13209527132116902328noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-69394832359241100912012-02-06T08:19:54.744-02:002012-02-06T08:19:54.744-02:00The touching never bothered me, I experienced it m...The touching never bothered me, I experienced it myself here so I figured my children would also be subject to it. It's a loving thing. Brazilians are touchy feely lovey. I do, however, find it weird to accept sweets/popcorn from strangers. It is quite common for an adult you do not know to offer your children popcorn. Imagine how this American, who was raised with accept nothing from Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209527132116902328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-73782337431054763132012-02-06T08:18:07.742-02:002012-02-06T08:18:07.742-02:00I would FREAK OUT!I would FREAK OUT!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209527132116902328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-84669004198123211972012-02-06T02:23:51.132-02:002012-02-06T02:23:51.132-02:00In Latin American countries it's quite normal ...In Latin American countries it's quite normal for strangers to admire your child and even hug them or kiss them. An American friend in Mexico found this custom unnerving at first because she thought the people wanted to steal her child but once she was informed that it was a sign of respect for the parents, she was calmer when it happened again in the future. Here in France, neighborhood kidsJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01075996968385473241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-81513328105572938022012-02-06T02:18:00.309-02:002012-02-06T02:18:00.309-02:00A Brazilian friend of ours was in Japan. She went ...A Brazilian friend of ours was in Japan. She went into a big Japanese department store where there are lovely girls to greet you at the door and plenty of people to help you. While she was looking at some things, one of those helpful girls took her son to the playroom so mommy could shop without worrying about the child. This is normal in Japan but when she turned around and found her son gone Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01075996968385473241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-9778032835282104622012-02-06T02:08:18.259-02:002012-02-06T02:08:18.259-02:00Rachel, after reading your piece, I just realized ...Rachel, after reading your piece, I just realized aomething at odds with my Carioca wife who would never allow a maid in our houses here in France or in the US. She takes great pride in cleaning the house, washing and ironing the clothes herself. However, when she goes back to Rio every year to spend months with her aging mother, she has no problem with the fashinhera who comes once a week to do Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01075996968385473241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-40300816037467595332011-04-07T08:37:00.870-03:002011-04-07T08:37:00.870-03:00My husband's father has his Maeinha. She basic...My husband's father has his Maeinha. She basically raised him. And my 86 yr old teach was called hers her black mother! Crazy. <br /><br />And thanks! I hope so. Or more screwed up but it's be my fault so that's ok ;)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209527132116902328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-64146170135975246382011-03-15T21:26:16.550-03:002011-03-15T21:26:16.550-03:00I miss having the me time, but I feel that's a...I miss having the me time, but I feel that's a HUGE part of motherhood. You should definitely get a break but not one that includes never taking your child to school (for example). <br /><br />And I don't mean to judge. I know there are many situations where nannies are necessary. I'm only talking smack about that small proportion of parents that do the minimal parent stuff possible. Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209527132116902328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-24733692390393914772011-03-15T21:15:45.369-03:002011-03-15T21:15:45.369-03:00I'm with you Stephanie. Some of these parents ...I'm with you Stephanie. Some of these parents are really missing out. I gave up a lot to have this time with my daughter and I've never looked back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-38011130442833020082011-03-14T18:46:44.946-03:002011-03-14T18:46:44.946-03:00AND...one more thought to conclude my rant...my so...AND...one more thought to conclude my rant...my son says the most funny and clever things, and I am the only one who gets his humor, because I am with him all of the time, I know what he does, who he's around and what he watches, I know his references, and it's not lost on me. We're connected and you don't get that when you have someone else rasing your child for you, whether outStephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16157534345604450915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-38825587183005028842011-03-14T18:26:45.676-03:002011-03-14T18:26:45.676-03:00I wholly agree. We are American girls, we are not...I wholly agree. We are American girls, we are not comfortable or accoustomed to handing our kids over to someone who, honestly, we don't know all that well to tend to the most important years in our kids lives. NO WAY. I waited a long time to have a child and I actually WANT to raise him and be super-involved in his life. Wow, my husband and I have had so many disagreements in this area, Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16157534345604450915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-67934977410119772472011-03-14T13:35:29.241-03:002011-03-14T13:35:29.241-03:00Nannies are taking over the world!! ahhhhhh
;)Nannies are taking over the world!! ahhhhhh <br />;)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209527132116902328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-43833657387704942332011-03-14T10:17:31.353-03:002011-03-14T10:17:31.353-03:00agreed. 100% agreed. the very high end wealthy in ...agreed. 100% agreed. the very high end wealthy in Brazil are confused between how to show off their richness and how to look as if they are living in the nineteenth century.Malloryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14186983983626357305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-13894867949270726282011-03-14T09:37:00.362-03:002011-03-14T09:37:00.362-03:003 or 4 children*3 or 4 children*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-68670918048225347382011-03-14T09:35:30.874-03:002011-03-14T09:35:30.874-03:00I've lived in Manhattan and Wash D.C. before a...I've lived in Manhattan and Wash D.C. before and I experienced this there as well... people who had 2 full time nannies for 3 or 4 weekend during the week and weekend at all times. Kids who would call their nannies mommy... I live in Italy now and most the kids I see on the streets are being raised by philippine caregivers...<br />But most people I know in europe and us dont have a full time Ananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-81436279999522422542011-03-13T22:39:46.356-03:002011-03-13T22:39:46.356-03:00I've been intrigued with the nanny culture her...I've been intrigued with the nanny culture here ever since we arrived in Rio from the US about 6 months ago. I don't have a nanny for my 3 year old, just a babysitter that comes for a few hours on Saturday night once our daughter is in bed so hubby and I can have date night.<br /><br />Otherwise, I do everything by myself, and truth be told, I wish I did have help! Being a SAHM drains theJeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13848586910688303858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-59380730929209996462011-03-13T18:05:41.448-03:002011-03-13T18:05:41.448-03:00A couple days ago I ran into a friend of mine who ...A couple days ago I ran into a friend of mine who was completely frazzled because her nanny is going on vacation this week. I do have a maid, but I don't work right now, so I don't have a nanny (just can't justify it when I gave up my career to be with my daughter in the first place...) She knows this and said to me "Well, if you don't have a nanny you can't imagine, but Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-83015141011038266552011-03-13T00:38:08.403-03:002011-03-13T00:38:08.403-03:00I think it really depends on where you're livi...I think it really depends on where you're living. I live in downtown Chicago and my boyfriend lives in the suburbs, so I've had the chance to pick up a little of each. It's definitely two different worlds. Maybe what I'm experiencing is a city thing? I have this American friend here who used to babysit on NY's Upper East Side and she tells bizarre stories of parents who leaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-62284225044076300502011-03-12T22:39:24.167-03:002011-03-12T22:39:24.167-03:00Samia, not defensive at all. I welcome a different...Samia, not defensive at all. I welcome a different point of view. Unless things have changed dramatically, I have never experienced what you are talking about in the US. I can count, on 2 fingers, the number of people I know who have nannies. And maids, that is becoming more common in the US but not to the degree Brazilians have them.<br /><br />As for lack of parenting, oh yes, that is Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209527132116902328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-56925029973506574042011-03-12T21:55:26.471-03:002011-03-12T21:55:26.471-03:00Rachel, I don't mean to get defensive or anyth...Rachel, I don't mean to get defensive or anything. I'm Brazilian too and I grew up in big house with a nanny and a maid or a nanny/maid. <br />Since I moved to the US one of the things I do for extra money is babysitting, and guess what? On the weekends. Granted, the parents take the kids on an outing once a week, but most of the weekends I, or another nanny, am the one who stays with Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-71746808340430214582011-03-12T19:20:58.024-03:002011-03-12T19:20:58.024-03:00I see an awful lot of young, new money families in...I see an awful lot of young, new money families in Sao Paulo with nannies, most likely because of the status they think it implies. About a year ago a brand new, really expensive apartment building opened up across the street from me and I have a direct view into their playground area. It's always full of kids and women in white. I know a couple who lives there with their 3-year old daughter Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-27690020976993330232011-03-12T16:05:39.034-03:002011-03-12T16:05:39.034-03:00Rachel,
I am totally with you, this strong n...Rachel,<br /><br /> I am totally with you, this strong nanny culture behavior is very "old school" Brazilian style, it is all inherited from the time of slaves, passed down from generation to generation. Keep in mind, Brazil never had a secession war to put an end to the slave culture like the US did. <br /> Did you watch "Gone with the Wind"? Do you see anything in American Heart Brazilian Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049937328816904295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-21638941838858280462011-03-12T13:51:57.802-03:002011-03-12T13:51:57.802-03:00I grew up with mom and dad. Daycare in our family...I grew up with mom and dad. Daycare in our family was going to the "shop" with dad and playing in the sawdust. (he was a cabinet maker)<br /><br />As we got older my older sister was the responsible one. Then me.<br /><br />We did the clothes washing, we defrosted the meat for dinner, we cleaned our rooms. After dinner we did the dishes.<br /><br />Family vacations were just that. Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14003236423048071844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437750058361105497.post-85937770411128971902011-03-12T12:27:28.234-03:002011-03-12T12:27:28.234-03:00Hi Rachel.
I totally agree with you there. I don&#...Hi Rachel.<br />I totally agree with you there. I don't have children, but I grew up with plenty of friends who not only had weekend nannies, but vacation nannies (which I personally never understood!) <br />Both my parents worked full time, so Monday-Friday, we had a sleep-in nanny. Friday evenings she'd leave, coming back Monday morning. Thankfully, my parents had a good support system,Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17099576867965531317noreply@blogger.com